Fascism II c. 1936

This is Jolán Gross-Bettelheim’s “Fascism II,” a drawing. It’s full of hatching, cross-hatching, little lines building up to form dark shadows, and leaving other areas untouched as highlights. Gross-Bettelheim’s mark-making feels urgent, like she’s trying to capture something fleeting. The texture created by these lines gives the drawing depth. Looking at the center of the work, at what appears to be a rib cage, it feels mechanical. The lines give the image a rigid, almost architectural quality. The contrast between light and shadow is stark, creating a dramatic effect. It’s as if the artist is using light to expose the darkness she sees in the subject. This reminds me of Otto Dix, another artist grappling with the horrors of war and political extremism. Both artists use unflinching imagery to confront viewers with uncomfortable truths. Ultimately, art like this serves as a reminder that we need to stay vigilant and question the world around us.